Manchester United vs Roma Result: Cunha Strikes Twice as United Complete 3-2 Champions League Comeback at Old Trafford

Manchester United vs Roma ended 3-2 to the home side at Old Trafford on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, after United came from 2-0 down in the UEFA Champions League league stage, with Matheus Cunha scoring twice in the closing minutes to complete a dramatic turnaround. Roma led 2-0 at half-time, but United scored three times after the break in front of a crowd of 73,747 to take the win on a night when the home side had looked beaten early on.

The match was played on the same day as voting in the 2026 US midterm elections, and it followed a difficult run for United in domestic football. BBC Sport reported that Roma took control through Matias Soule in the 11th minute and a Donyell Malen penalty in the 17th minute. United reached half-time two goals behind, with the visitors in charge of the contest.

How Roma built a two-goal lead at Old Trafford

Soule opened the scoring after a pass from Rodrigo Mora, and Malen doubled the lead from the penalty spot six minutes later. The early goals left United chasing the game for most of the first half, and Roma went into the break with a clear advantage. United needed a fast response after half-time to keep their hopes of a result alive.

The response came in stages rather than all at once. Bruno Fernandes pulled one goal back from a twice-taken penalty in the 58th minute, cutting the gap to one goal and lifting the home crowd. That goal changed the balance of the match, as United began to push Roma back in search of an equaliser.

Fernandes sparks the fightback before Cunha takes over

Cunha levelled the score in the 83rd minute, and three minutes later he struck again to put United ahead for the first time. Shea Lacey provided the assist for the winning goal in the 86th minute, according to the BBC scores and fixtures listing for 3 November 2026. The two late goals turned a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead in the space of three minutes.

United had arrived at the Roma game after a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea, so the late comeback carried extra weight for the home side. The win gave United a positive result to build on after that domestic setback, even though the final minutes still brought a setback of their own.

Cunha’s late double and a costly late dismissal

Cunha was sent off in the first minute of stoppage time after receiving a second booking, so his match-winning contribution ended with a dismissal. United still held on for the win despite finishing the game with 10 players. The result also came with a concern in midfield, as Carlos Baleba was forced off with a hamstring injury in the 50th minute.

Frequently asked questions about Manchester United vs Roma

What was the Manchester United vs Roma result? Manchester United won 3-2 at Old Trafford on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, after trailing 2-0 at half-time.

Who scored for Manchester United against Roma? Bruno Fernandes scored from a penalty in the 58th minute, and Matheus Cunha scored in the 83rd and 86th minutes.

Who scored for Roma against Manchester United? Matias Soule scored in the 11th minute, and Donyell Malen scored from a penalty in the 17th minute.

Why was Matheus Cunha sent off? Cunha received a second booking in the first minute of stoppage time, after scoring the two goals that turned the match around.

Where was Manchester United vs Roma played? The Champions League league-stage match was played at Old Trafford, with an attendance of 73,747.